Goswami Tulsidas: How Tulsi Ramayan Became Ramcharitmanas
Discover the divine story of how Tulsidas' Tulsi Ramayan came to be called Ramcharitmanas, blessed by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
When Goswami Tulsidas composed his version of the Ramayan in Awadhi in the 16th century, it was originally known as Tulsi Ramayan. But according to popular tradition, the epic came to be called Ramcharitmanas through a divine conversation between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The Divine Conversation Between God Shiv and Goddess Parvati
It is believed that after Tulsidas completed his work, Goddess Parvati, having heard of this newly composed epic, asked Lord Shiv a simple question: what should this sacred text be called?
Lord Shiv replied that just as a lake, or Manas, holds pure and sacred water, this text is a reservoir of Lord Ram's divine deeds and character, or Charit. For that reason, he said, it should be called Ramcharitmanas.
Goddess Parvati blessed the name, and from that moment, Tulsi Ramayan came to be known as Ramcharitmanas.
Why Is It Called Ramcharitmanas?
The name carries deep meaning, built from three Sanskrit roots:
- Ram — Refers to Lord Ram
- Charit — Means the divine deeds and virtues of Ram
- Manas — Refers to a sacred lake, evoking the holy Mansarovar, a symbol of purity and devotion
Together, the name signifies that this scripture is a holy reservoir of Lord Ram's divine story, much as a pure lake reflects the beauty of everything around it. Tulsidas himself compared the epic's seven Kandas (chapters) to the seven steps leading into the sacred waters of Lake Mansarovar, said to purify the body and soul alike.
More Than a Retelling
The renaming of Tulsi Ramayan to Ramcharitmanas highlights its divine sanctity, said to be blessed by both Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. This legendary tale reinforces that Tulsidas' work was never meant as a mere poetic retelling of the Ramayan — it was composed as a sacred scripture, meant for devotion, reflection, and spiritual upliftment. It remains one of the most widely read and recited works of Hindu literature today, often called the "Bible of northern India" by scholars for the depth of its influence.
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